1. Examine uterus histology in the menstrual phase:
- the endometrium proliferates and degenerates during the menstrual cycle. The end of each cycle is characterized by the destruction of the endometrium and by the discharge of tissue with menstrual blood;
- physiologically the endometrium is divided into two layers, which differ in function and structure. They are as follows:
- the stratum functionale (or the functional layer), thick part of the endometrium, which proliferates and degenerates during the menstrual cycle. In the menstrual phase, much of the stratum functionale becomes necrotic and is sloughed with menstrual blood and amongst the debris are numerous blood cells (RBCs and leukocytes);
- the underlying stratum basale (or the basal layer) that is retained throughout the menstrual cycle. It is not sloughed off and subsequently proliferates and creates the new epithelium and lamina propria for the regeneration of the endometrium;
- during the menstrual phase the endometrium is reduced to only the stratum basale containing the basal portions of the uterine glands, tubular glands lined by ciliated columnar epithelium. The glands have straight tubes with narrow lumens but their cells accumulate glycogen.
2. Draw a segment of the endometrium and point out:
1 - internal lining of uterus without epithelium,
2 - functional layer,
3 - basal layer,
4 - uterine (endometrial) glands, 5 - myometrium submucosal layer.
3. Define and write significant features of the slide.